Gaming device for a flat rate play session and method of operating same

• US 8,133,112 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Fincham, Magdalena M., Santisi, Steven M., Gilman, Norman C., Sparico, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCulloch, Jr., William H
• Application Number:
  US10/986,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,680 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/21, 463/25, 463/26, 463/42, 273/138.2, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the player'"'"'s credit account.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming device, comprising:

outputting, to a player of a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game and by use of a display component of the gaming device, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,

wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,

wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receiving, from the player, a selection of the flat rate play session;

determining at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;

receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

initiating the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming device comprises a gaming device that may be operated in a mode that requires a payment for each play if a flat rate play session is not initiated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of an interval between plays and a pay combination status.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing, upon receiving the selection, a memory to retrieve the at least one parameter.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an indication of the selection to another device; and

receiving, from the device, an indication of the at least one parameter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the price is a price previously determined further based on at least one operator selected price parameter.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the price is further based on a player status rating of the player.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating the flat rate play session comprises generating a signal indicating that there is no need to require, during the flat rate play session, payment between plays.

9. A device, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

output, to a player of a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,

wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,

wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receive, from the player, a selection of the flat rate play session;

determine at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;

receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

initiate the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

10. A system, comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices; and

a controller operable to communicate with the plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, the controller being further operable to;

output, to a player of one of the gaming devices, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,

wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,

wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receive, from the player, a selection of the at least one flat rate play session;

determine at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;

receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

initiate the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

outputting, to a player of a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,

wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,

wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receiving, from the player, a selection of the flat rate play session;

determining at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;

receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

initiating the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

12. A method of operating a gaming device, comprising:

outputting, via a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase, each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,

wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,

wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during a given flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receiving, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;

receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

causing the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the gaming device comprises a gaming device that may be operated in a mode that requires a payment for each play if a flat rate play session is not initiated.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter of at least one of the flat rate play session packages comprises a duration defined by a predetermined number of plays.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter of at least one of the flat rate play session packages comprises a duration defined by a predetermined number of winning plays.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter of at least one of the flat rate play session packages comprises a duration that ends upon an occurrence of a predetermined condition.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter of at least one of the flat rate play session packages comprises a duration defined by a predetermined length of time.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein causing the gaming device to be configured comprises:

setting a timer based on a duration of the selected flat rate session package.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein causing the gaming device to be configured comprises:

causing parameters of the gaming device to be reconfigured to meet the at least one parameter of the flat rate play session package selected by the player.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

tracking plays occurring during the flat rate play session; and

terminating the flat rate play session upon an occurrence of a predetermined condition.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving, from a player, a selection of a flat rate play mode of the gaming device; and

outputting the plurality of flat rate play session packages in response to the selection.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving the selection comprises:

determining that a player has actuated a predetermined button of the gaming device, the button being associated with the flat rate play mode.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein outputting the indication via the gaming device comprises outputting the indication via an electronic display of the gaming device.

24. The method of claim 12, wherein causing the gaming device to be configured comprises causing the gaming device to conduct plays during the flat rate play session without requiring payment between plays.

25. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of an interval between plays and a pay combination status.

26. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

accessing, upon receiving the selection, a memory to retrieve the at least one parameter.

27. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting an indication of the selection to another device; and

receiving, from the device, an indication of the at least one parameter.

28. The method of claim 12, wherein the price is a price previously determined based further on at least one operator selected price parameter.

29. The method of claim 12, wherein the price is further based on a player status rating of the player.

30. A device, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

output, via a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase,

each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,

wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,

wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein each flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receive, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;

receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

cause the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith.

31. A system, comprising:

a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, the controller being further operable to;

output, via a gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase,

each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,

wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,

wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein each flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receive, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;

receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

cause the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith;

the system further comprising the plurality of gaming devices.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

outputting, via a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase,

each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,

wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,

wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,

wherein each flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,

wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and

further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps;

(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;

(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;

(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino; and

(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;

receiving, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;

receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated; and

causing the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith.